School District Questions and Answers –
With board chair- Twinkle Ann Morton
Key Communicator Question about
Playing Fields and PRAISE for our HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY
First of all, as I always do, let me begin by reminding my readers that this column is my opinion and my opinion only. By that I mean that I am not speaking for the board, merely making observations about educational topics and asking for your perspective and input. I was contacted the other day by one of the key communicators [thank you] who shared with me that some of the high school parents are concerned with the condition of the playing fields for our kids. I contacted our Grounds person who does a superb job of making things work for our kids on a very small budget. He shares the parents’ concerns and is doing everything possible to improve the situation. What follows are his remarks:
“All of our playing fields throughout the District are in need of upgrades and long term maintenance plans. The field in question has been recently aerated, fertilized and is receiving water 4x a week as part of this plan. Yesterday I attended a field turf training seminar at OSU which confirmed in my mind we are on the right track to accomplish our objective. The components of the plan are as follows:
- Secure a reliable irrigation water source. Water from Fern Ridge is not always available to adequately irrigate all our fields. Recently, holding tanks and valving were installed at EHS allowing water from our domestic well to be used for irrigation. The risk is that we over tax our aquifer jeopardizing our domestic source. Other holding tanks and systems are planned for EE.
- Implement scheduled maintenance program. Our fields receive heavy use by both school and community groups. To ensure our fields stay in decent shape we need to follow a schedule for fertilization, aeration, top dressing and over seeding. This will require additional equipment and man hours.
- Increase our turf field resources. Because of all the user groups we need additional fields. This would allow for major maintenance projects to be accomplished without interrupting sports schedules
- Staff training. The key for long term sustainability is for these practices be carried on in perpetuity. Once a field is damaged or stressed its condition deteriorates exponentially.
I realize people are concerned, and rightfully so. We are moving in the direction to eliminate these hazards. I am in communication with staff and coaches concerning these issues and plans to address them. “ Jeff
I want to thank Jeff and Greg for all the work that goes on that sadly only gets noticed if it’s perceived as a problem. The rooms are clean, the floors polished, the grounds spiffed up- ready for our great teachers and wonderful students to return for another year. AND
I want to give a big shout out to our high school teachers and administrators. I received this message from Principal Gary Carpenter this morning. “Sorry, have to take this opportunity to brag…. :)” And Brag he should. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium [SBAC] testing results are back for the 11th graders who took the test this year. The percentage change from last year to this year is truly amazing AND Elmira High School Scores continue to be above – way above the state averages. Here they are: The Language scores increased by 7% [state average 71% our average 90%], Math increased by 20% [state average 34% our average 61%], and Science increased by 14%[state average 55% our average 67%]
Mr. Carpenter wants to thank the teachers, parents, families and students for their hard work. He asked I not thank him… sorry, that part I can’t do. Mr. Carpenter’s leadership is integral to the hard work these people perform each and every day… so congrats to all – well deserved and VERY impressive. To get the full and real deal, be sure you read your high school state report card- I borrowed this from him “Each year we[EHS Staff] reflect on our strengths and our weaknesses and implement changes to improve in areas of concern, while maintaining and supporting those things that are going well. 2016-17 will be no different as we have already implemented many new ideas, programs, support services and classes that we hope will benefit all of our students here at EHS. The FRSD community should be proud of the great staff working here at EHS. They are second to none.” I have to agree- And it not just us that recognize the strength of our high school- we are recognized by the US NEWS and WORLD REPORT’s annual Best High Schools list on a consistent basis. What’s not to like?
I look forward to continuing my column and answering your questions so please continue to write to me at tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us and read my articles. I hope to reach new readers so share with your friends and loved ones. I leave you with this quote from Maria Orlando’s article “Nine Characteristics of a great Teacher” “The great teachers, however, work tirelessly to create a challenging, nurturing environment for their students. Great teaching seems to have less to do with our knowledge and skills than with our attitude toward our students, our subject, and our work.” We’ve got it all at Elmira High School.
In addition, I want to share with you what happens when researchers dropped a penny onto a group of ants. https://youtu.be/Ul3_D3DtZgw What if a society could be so closely aligned as to let something invasive fall right through it while regaining our bond with each other on the other side… a coin could crush one or two ants but working together they release to let it pass through and then rejoin on the other side while the weight goes to the bottom where it does no harm… just a thought.
Until next time.